From Our Early Files May 26, 2021
25 YEARS AGO
May 30, 1996
Pigeon Falls Lions Club President Eileen Neperud presented the club’s community service award to Thurman Fremstad and Peter Olson was the recipient of the club’s Lion of the Year award.
The Whitehall Municipal Swimming Pool opened on schedule over the weekend for what could be its final season in its present form, with city officials still looking at high costs for replacing the facility. The pool, which was built not quite 25 years ago, has already outlived its projected lifespan. Twice in the past four years problems with its aluminum envelope or other troubles have delayed opening the facility and required significant city expenditures to fix.
Two-thirds of the way through its first year, Trempealeau County’s new sales tax is netting slightly smaller receipts than in previous months, and collections continue to lag behind estimated revenues. The controversial levy, enacted a year ago despite strong objections from business people and other citizens, so far isn’t living up to the expectations. The monthly checks received from the state Department on Revenue, on average, still are not enough to bring the amount set in this year’s county budget.
The 43rd Arcadia Broiler-Dairy Days was a big success once again this year. The cold, wet weather didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of those who celebrated the Memorial Day weekend in Arcadia.
The main consensus with people in the community is that improvements must be made to the current educational facility in Arcadia, or a new structure may have to be built to house the numerous students which will become a part of the community. The building of a new school is a likely choice as the renovations to the current facility would not be cost efficient. One option that has been explored in consolidation with the Independence School District.
Sylvia Severson of Centerville will help carry the Olympic torch through La Crosse Sunday on its way to Atlanta and the 1996 summer Olympics.
Dozens of people gathered in a soggy field north of Highways 54-93 for the groundbreaking for the new Trempealeau Town Hall/Centerville Curling Club/community center.
Governor Tommy Thompson announced this week that the speed limit on approximately 500 miles of freeways and expressways in Wisconsin has been increased to 65 miles per hour. Wisconsin began considering possible speed limit changes last fall when the federal government repealed the 55 MPH national maximum speed limit that had been in effect since 1973.
Nine area girls will compete for the title of Trempealeau County Dairy Ambassador. Competitors include Cheryl Cooper, Kari Fonstad, Paula Fremstad, Julie Giemza, Carmen Kampa, Sharalee Parker, Erika Skadahl, Heather Thompson and Melissa Wilber.
50 YEARS AGO
June 3, 1971
The newly-formed Trempealeau County Arts Association will present its first production, “Arsenic and Old Lace,” in Whitehall the first weekend in August, under the direction of Sharon Lowry. People of all ages from the Whitehall area are invited to try out for the 14 roles in the comedy.
David Franzwa of Eleva, convicted last week of negligent homicide in the Dec. 15 fatal shooting of his wife, was sentenced this week Tuesday to jail for one year in jail, with credit for the five months served, and a year on probation.
“Substitute Art Teacher, a book on basic art concepts written by two Whitehall school district art teachers, Louis Ferris and Ron Rumpel, is currently being published in Arcadia.
Nancy Kube, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer Kube, rural Arcadia, was crowned 1971 Arcadia Broiler-Dairy Festival Queen in coronation ceremonies at the high school gym. Named first attendant was Jacquelyn Persick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Persick, Waumandee, and second attendant was Jeannie Haines, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Severin Haines, rural Arcadia.
It was festival weather — beautiful, warm, sunny days — for the 28th annual Arcadia Broiler-Dairy Festival last weekend.
Nearly 20,000 copies of the colorful Trempealeau County brochure have now been distributed and requests continue to come in. The initial publication of the Trempealeau County brochure was made possible by the financial contribution of organizations in every community of the county.
Sylvia Pederson. Linda McCarty, Virginia Cooper. Linda Beckler and Elwood Mahlum were subjects for a 1969 Galesville Republican article on work-education for EMR students at Gale-Ettrick High School. Where are they today? According to Mrs. Helen Melin, heading the work-ed program at G-E-T, one of the girls is working and needed at home. All of the others are primarily self-supporting, working full or part-time and fulfilling useful services in their communities.
75 YEARS AGO
May 30, 1946
Three plans for new building areas, one business block development and two residential projects, were recently presented to the city council for approval. Andrew Ambli has purchased land on the west side of Main Street from the P.O. Pederson service station to the Trempealeau River bridge, which he will fill and develop as business lots. Nineteen residential building lots will be provided by the proposed addition submitted by Burr Tarrant and Ralph Rasmuson, extending from Lincoln Cemetery to an extension of Hobson St. The other residential area, located just outside the city limits fronting Hwy. 53, has been platted by Clarence Schaefer, who has already sold five lots and proposes annexing to the city.
A total of 207 young people completed the eighth grade in the rural and state graded schools of Trempealeau County this year, and received their diplomas at six commencement exercises the past week.
The summer playground activities will open Monday, announced Colonel Larson, who again has been engaged to take charge of them. Competition will be provided on the playground this year, as Mr. Larson has arranged to have an exchange play day with the Arcadia playground children, holding track events, marble contests, hopscotch, jacks, baseball, volleyball, etc. Any other cities or villages are also invited to contact Mr. Larson concerning an exchange play day.
Mrs. Bennett Anderson, who taught at the Sunnyslope school in Plum Creek this past year, has contracted to teach the Pike school in Hale next year. She replaces Miss Anna Ruth Hanson, who will teach the lower grades in the Pigeon Falls State Graded School.
It was too much Sobotta and Misch for the Whitehall Cubs, who lost to Independence 6 to 0 Sunday. The former allowed only two infield hits, and the latter drove in two runs with a double and a triple.
Robert Wicka, Winona, received a fractured right hip, lacerations on the head and many bruises when he fell from the top of a 35-foot silo to the pit last Thursday while working for the Madison Silo Company at the Ed McWeeny farm near Arcadia.
100 YEARS AGO
June 2, 1921
Decoration Day was fittingly observed in Whitehall. The parade and marched to the cemetery was carried out according to program, and following decoration of the graves of the soldier dead, 44 in number, the march was resumed to the hall, where the literary portion of the program was had. It is right that Memorial Day should be cherished, not only by the dwindling members of the Grand Army of the Republic, but by the citizens in general — old and young — as a day dedicated to patriots.
The baccalaureate sermon to the graduating class was given to a packed house at the Whitehall Village Hall Sunday evening. Rev. Clark of the Presbyterian church gave a most excellent address to the young people, and they surely found food for thought, and wise counsel, in what he said.
One night recently a car, driven by a stranger, drew up at the curb on Main Street and the lone occupant accosted a young lady, who happened to be out late, with an invitation to go with him for a ride, getting out of the car and insisting upon compliance with his request. Fortunately, the young lady was near her home, and was able to run inside to escape his importunities. It is said that other girls were similarly assailed by strangers. It behooves parents to see that their daughters are off the streets at an early hour of the evening, and girls themselves should beware the wiles of gay deceivers.
Conrad Hulberg purchased the A.C. Fernholz machine house on River Street in Arcadia where he plans to open a general auto repair shop.
A.C. Fernholz was erecting a new building on the former Commercial Hotel site.
A barn dance was advertised on the Joseph Breska farm in Rainey Valley with a snappy jazz orchestra furnishing music.
The 36th annual commencement exercises were held at Arcadia High school for 17 seniors.
Twenty-six students have completed their work and are members of the Galesville High School graduating class of 1921.
George Walski, Centerville, is erecting a large barn on his farm.
There will be a barn dance in the Frank Bender barn in the town of Caledonia on Friday evening. Herberg’s orchestra will furnish the music.
A Milwaukee restaurant displays printed signs reading “Don’t park your gum here.” Gum has become a nuisance at the restaurants. One waitress declared that she rounded up 123 wads of tutti-fruit, etc., from her table in one single day. This parking order may reach Galesville soon.
William F. Rowles Post American Legion has received a consignment of 10 government rifles. These guns are an essential part of every post’s equipment. They are particularly necessary in funeral services to deceased comrades when a firing squad gives the last salute at the grave.
125 YEARS AGO
May 28, 1896
Ed Paul reports wolves depredating his flock of sheep. A choice lamb was taken one night last week.
Many complaints are made that cutworms are working in gardens and cornfields. James Mallery has planted his corn the third time.
Joe Schwartz of Dodge completed a 10 days’ sentence in the county Bastille last Saturday for assault and battery, the complainant being a Polander woman from that place.
W.J. Webb has purchased lots 1, 2 and 5 in block 14, which makes him the owner of all this block, cornering on Dodge and Adams streets. The other lots in the block he bought some time ago, much of the territory of which is used for his lumber yard sheds and office. Will intends to put up a fine residence on Dodge Street, facing H.E. Getts’.
Another installment of 19 wolf scalps was presented for redemption at the courthouse last week by professional hunters. This is getting to be quite a profitable industry.
The commencement exercises of the Whitehall school will take place Friday evening, June 5. H.A. Anderson will deliver the class address. We are unable to give the personnel of the graduating class, as the students are wrestling with examination at his point.
